Prefabricated building



. Jan. 11, 193. A. T. LEVY l PREABRIGATED BUILDING Filed March 4, 1957 Patented Jan. l1, 1938 i UNiiED STATS ATENT OFFICE PREFABRICATED BUILDING Austin 'I'. Levy, Harrisville, R. I. Application March 4, 1937, seal No. 129,093

7 Claims.

My invention relates to prefabricated buildlngs.

In such buildings utilizing walls including panels of insulating material having their edges in vertical and horizontal channel members presenting panel apertures, as described and claimed in my copending application Serial No.105,72l, filed October l5, i936, it has heretofore been proposed to dispose the opposite ends of the vertical 10 steel rods carried on the opposite faces of the insulating panel board, within the upper and lower channels, and to connect these upper and .lower channels and the panel board to the vertical channels by means of bolts extending 16 through the vertical channels forming part of the studs and through the horizontal channels and the panel board. In practice, however, this has resulted in difficulty, it being necessary for a quite exact alignment of the holes in the steel channel members to be obtained in order to permit the bolts to be passed through the same. Further, by reason `of limited space, in certain instances difficulty has been experienced in thereafter attaching the nut to the bolt and this has 5 of course in any event required an additional operation. Moreover, it has been necessary to provide a hole in the panel board for the passage of the bolt, which of course4 had to be brought into quite exact registry with this hole andthe V holes in'the several channels, and in some instances it has not been possible to attach the bcltat its inner end or to pass it through the edge of the panel board. As a result, the erec- Vtion of such wall structures while using bolts as connecting means, has involved considerable difculty and delay and resultant expense.

My invention has among its objects to provide an improved construction including improved connecting means cooperating in a new Vv'40 manner with the connected elements whereby it is made possible markedly to facilitate and expedite the operation of erecting such a wall, while substantially reducing the expense incident thereto and producing an improved wall structure. A further object of my invention is to provide such an improved construction whereby the necessity for exact alignment of the severalapertures is eliminated, and whereby since it islmade unnecessary to attach a nut, it is also made pos- Y sible to eliminate the dimculties heretofore experienced in connecting the nut in inaccessible positions. A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved structure in which, -while having these advantages, the 4connecting 255 means is also enabled to actas an aligning means (Cl. 'l2-1) for the several apertures, and in which the connecting means, further being adapted to be driven through the panel board, makes it unnecessary to provide an aperture in the panel board before erection, while also enabling the panel board to be positioned by the connecting means under all conditions. These and other objects and advantages of my improvements will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown for purposes of illustration certain embodiments which my invention may assume in practice.

In this drawing:

Figure l is a perspective view of a wall assembly connected by my improved connecting means, portions of the foundation being shown in section, an intermediate portion of the wall panels and studs being broken away, and the outer clinching wire and coatings of cementitious material being omitted, to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure l, showing the connection at the bottom of an intermediate wall stud;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View on line 3 3 of Figure l, showing the connections at the bottom and top of an intermediate wall stud, a portion of the completed wall here also being shown in section at the bottom to facilitate understanding, and

, Fig. 4 is a View similar to Figure 2, but a sectional view on line 4 4 of Figure l, showing the connection at the bottom of a corner stud.

In this illustrative construction, I have shown a wall structure including a foundation I carrying upwardly extending bottom channels 2 cooperating with oppositely disposed top channels 3. Also, a panel unit, generally indicated at 4 and comprising an insulating panel board 5 carrying spaced Vertical rods B on the opposite faces thereof, is disposed with the top and bottom edges of the panel board and the top and bottom ends ofthe rods 6 in the channels 2 and 3, while the vertical edges of the board 5 are disposed in vertical connected channels 'l which form the studs. Further, note that the several elements, comprising the channels 2, 3 and board 5, are connected to the channels 1 at the opposite ends of the latter byrrny improved connecting means.

VReferring more particularly to Figure 2, it will be notedvthat the channel 2 receives therein the oppositely disposed channels 'l of an intermediate stud in the relation indicated, spacer plates 8 preferably being disposed between the outer vertical walls of the connected channels 'l and the inner vertical walls of the channel 2 as in my prior application. Here, however, instead of utilizing a pair of bolts extending through necessarily aligned apertures 9, ID, and II in the several metal channels and spacing strips, and further providing an aperture in the board 5, all

of which must quite accurately register with one another in order to permit insertion of the bolt, I herein provide improved driving pins I2 to connect the parts, Each of these pins l2 has a pointed inner end I3 and any suitable head I4, herein an ordinary rivet head, on its outer end. Moreover, I drive this new pin I2 through the several apertures, the tapered end I3 thereof permitting the same to pass therethrough even if they are not in exact alignment, and thereby permitting my pin I 2 to function as a drift in bringing the apertures into the desired alignment. Moreover, it will be noted that the pointed end I3 makes it possible for the pin I2 to be driven through the board 5 without requiring any previously formed aperture therein. Also the head I4 permits the pin to be quickly and securely connected by a quick and inexpensive welding operation to the outer vertical wall of the channel 2. Thus, with twosuch pins used in lieu of the two bolts and nuts heretofore used, it will be noted that the parts may be very kquickly and securely connected irrespective of the exact registry of the apertures and without requiring either the provision of bolts or the use of nuts, or any connection to the inner end of the pin, while the Welding of the head effectually unites the parts.

In connection with this construction, attention is also directed to the fact that the use of the pin eliminates the previous need for setting any nut in the concrete, Where, as in a preferred construction, the concrete I extends to the top of the inside of the vertical wall 2. Instead, my improved construction makes it possible for the pin to be inserted in the channel before the panel unit is inserted therein and before the concrete is poured, in such manner as to close the adjacent aperture 9 in the channel and thereby during pouring prevent the flow of concrete into the channel. Further, by using any suitable covering material for the pointed end of the pin, as, for example, waX, wood or the like, it is made possible after pouring to withdraw the pin whenever desired to permit the insertion of the panel, and still readily reinsert the pointed pin in the aperture in the concrete when it is desired to connect the wall parts as heretofore described. Also, instead of using any such covering material, it will be evident that the pin may, if desired, be pushed in before the concrete is poured, and that before the latter sets, the pin may be pulled out Wholly or in part, in such manner as to leave the imprint of its pointed end in the concrete and thus also permit the ready later insertion of the pin as a connecting means when later desired.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be noted that I have therein shown a pin I2 similarly inserted and welded and acting as a connecting means at the upper end of the stud "I, inladdition to the lower end connecting means heretofore described. Here, also, it will be understood that two such pins are used, as indicated in Figure l, to connect the upper channel 3 to both of the channel portions 'I comprised in the stud. Of course, also, no necessity existing for preventing the entrance of concrete into the channel 3 nonecessity exists for inserting the upper pins before they are inserted in their connecting position during assembly.

In Figure 4, it will be noted that, while two pins I2 are connected generally as heretofore described, these pins are of different length and used with a different construction of the corner stud. With the two channels 'l of the latter disposed at right angles to each other and mitered and abutting as shown, it is obviously impossible satisfactorily to use a nut at the left hand or inner side of the right hand channel l, or to use a nut and bolt with the bolt extending through the panel 5. However, it will be noted that by providing a shorter pin I5 and driving the same through the panel, and Welding the head I4 of the pin as heretofore described, it is possible to connect the parts very securely in the desired relation, while also enabling the shorter pin to pass through the edge of the board 5 and thereby effectually position the latter.

In the use of my improvement, it is made possible not'l only to eliminate all need for providing nuts and bolts and substitute an inexpensive spike therefor, but also very markedly to expedite and facilitate the process of erection, in such manner as also substantially to reduce the labor cost incident thereto. Thus, whereas, when inserting the bolts and nuts as heretofore, two men have customarily been required, one on each side of the wall to cooperate in lining up the holes and holding the bolt while the nut is being tightened, my improved construction enables one man to insert and connect the pins, with a markedly greater facility and despatch. Further, it will be evident that my improved construction is adapted to use under conditions which would not permit the use of a bolt and nut, i. e. where the nut could not be inserted or where the difficulty of inserting the same was such as to make it impractical to use a nut. Attention is also directed to the fact that my improved construction is adapted to use not only in external walls as illustrated, but also in assembling internal partitions or wherever it is desired to connect a panel and its channels to channel studs. It will also be evident that, after assembly in the correct relation and the use of the pin as a drift in bringing the several elements into correct relation, the final step' of welding the heads of the several pins to the channels may be carried out very quickly and easily.

Here also it will, of course, be understood that after the assembly of the wall structure, the latter is covered with suitable wire mesh I6 overlying the rods 6 and the exposed portions of the channels and the studs, and that this mesh is covered with stucco I1, forming the outer wall surface, and plaster I8, forming the inner wall surface, as taught in my prior application mentioned.

While I have described certain embodiments which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms of the same are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz- 1. In a prefabricated building, a panel, a panel positioning frame including vertical and horizontal members and having apertures in said members for receiving connecting means for said members, and) pointed connecting means for aligning said apertures as said connecting means is inserted.

2. In a prefabricated building, a panel, a panel positioning frame including vertical and hor- 75 izontal channel members one received Within the other and having apertures in said members for receiving connecting means for said members, pointed connecting means for aligning said apertures as said connecting means is inserted, and means on said connecting means engaging the outer channel member.

3. In a preabricated building, a panel, a panel positioning frame including a horizontal channel member and a vertical channel member seated therein, said members having apertures therein for receiving connecting means for said members, a panel extending into said channels across said apertures, and means for aligning said apertures and connecting said elements having a pointed end adapted as said means is inserted to align said apertures and form an opening in said panel, a shank disposed in said apertures and panel in the connecting position of said means, and a head Welded to the outer channel in said connecting position.

4. In a prefabricated building, a panel, a panel positioning frame including spaced horizontal channel members and a vertical stud seated in said members at its opposite ends and comprising oppositely disposed channel members, a plurality of sets of aperture forming means in the overlapping portions of said channel members and stud for receiving connecting means at the opposite ends of said stud, and aligning and connecting means in said apertures having pointed ends for aligning said apertures as s'aid connecting means are passed therethrough, Shanks eX- tending through said apertures in connected positions, and outer ends engaging the outer channel.

5. In a prefabricated building, a corner stud including angularly disposed connected channel members, a plurality of angularly disposed channel members cooperating to receive each end of said stud and each receiving a different channel member comprised in said Stud, said stud and channel members having apertures therein at opposite ends for receiving connecting means, angularly disposed panels having edges received in the angularly disposed channel members of said stud and in said second mentioned channel members, and a plurality of pins disposed in said apertures having pointed ends for aligning said apertures, Shanks extending through said apertures and panels, and heads engaging said second mentioned channel members.

6. In a prefabricated building, a corner stud including angularly disposed connected channel members, a plurality of angularly disposed channel members cooperating to receive each end of said stud and each receiving a different channel member comprised in said stud, said stud and channel members having apertures therein at opposite ends for receiving connecting means, angularly disposed panels having edges received in the angularly disposed channel members of said stud and in said second mentioned channel members, and a plurality of pins disposed in said apertures having pointed ends for aligning said apertures, shanks extending through said apertures and panels, and heads xed to said second mentioned channel members, one of said sets of apertures at each end of said stud providing a pin passage shorter than the other and also being obstructed by a part of said stud, and said pins also being of different length.

'7. In a prefabricated building, a foundation, a bottom channel xed thereon in upstanding position and having oppositely located apertures in the inner and outer Walls thereof, said foundation extending to the top of said inner Wall, a stud including a channel seated in said bottom channel and having apertures adapted to register with said first mentioned apertures, a panel seated in said bottom channel and in the channel in said stud, a pin extending through said apertures and panel having a pointed end aligning said stud apertures With said channel apertures as said pin is inserted and extending into an aperture in said concrete beyond the inner aperture in said bottom channel, and means on the opposite end of said pin from said pointed end Welded to said bottom channel around the outer aperture therein.

AUSTIN T. LEVY. 

